West Ham United transfer news: ‘More likely’ Conor Gallagher destination emerges amid battle with Tottenham for Chelsea man
Conor Gallagher’s “more likely” destination this summer is Tottenham rather than West Ham if he leaves Chelsea, according to The Telegraph.
The Hammers have had a £40million total bid rejected [Fabrizio Romano, 25 July] for the England midfielder, 23, who appears to be available this summer amid a major clear out from Stamford Bridge.
West Ham are in for a host of midfielders as they rebuild the position following Declan Rice’s departure, but Spurs are also interested in the former Crystal Palace and West Brom loanee and are apparently in with a greater chance of success.
According to Mike McGrath in The Telegraph (25 July): “West Ham are also being linked with a £40 million move for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher but it is understood Tottenham are his more likely destination.”
Out of reach
Since it is difficult to tell who West Ham really want to sign in midfield, as they have made approaches for a huge number [ExWHUEmployee, 25 July] of candidates, it is difficult to know how far the club are willing to push for Gallagher.
And it is almost as hard to tell whether Chelsea actually want to sell him, since they have already gutted their midfield this summer and appear to be getting nowhere in signing Moises Caicedo, so he may not go anywhere.
The Hammers have made the first concrete move ahead of Spurs, and there is thought to be some doubt as to whether the Blues would want to sell to Tottenham anyway.
He would certainly look like a decent addition to David Moyes’ squad, having excelled at Selhurst Park, but with a lot of unanswered questions in the line up currently it will depend how far the budget stretches.
This move has the look of one that isn’t going to be decided until late in the window unless one of the interested clubs drops £50m on the table or Gallagher himself pushes to leave.
Chelsea’s handling of him has been somewhat confusing for the past year, with a £45m bid from Everton accepted in January only for him to subsequently outlast the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer.
If West Ham really want him they may have to help make the decision for their West London rivals, as time is of the essence with the new season around the corner.
In other West Ham news, Sky Sports have reported a breaking update on the pursuit of a club’s “biggest player” as a deal looks to be closing in.